What can we expect from Wii 2?

The internet is buzzing with rumoured spec details for the new Nintendo console, confirmed for release in 2012 with an official unveiling at e3 happening in June this year. So what should we be expecting to see? I’ve read a lot of rumours online recently regarding the spec’s, the controllers and the games that are currently in development for codename ‘Project Cafe’. The following are all rumoured to be features of the new console. Which do you think will turn out to be fact or fiction?

For me, one the most exciting features is that Wii 2 will output HD. What do I enjoy about playing Xbox 360? Part of it has to be the way it looks in 1080p; simply stunning. Mario in HD? It has the potential to be awesome. The graphics for Super Mario Galaxy are already very impressive, particularly with a component connection, but Mario’s inevitable aventures in HDMI will blow my mind. The ultimate combination of playability and visuals.

Other games said to be in development for the console include Metroid, perhaps by Retro Studios and Starfox. And what about a future Zelda title, or perhaps even the highly anticipated Skyward Sword? We all know it’s coming for Wii, but what about switching on the HD mode to play it on Wii2? Or, like Twilight Princess, perhaps Skyward Sword’s release will have a duel release on the new console as well as Wii?

More speculation that suggests to me that the new Wii really will be a ‘sequel’ to the Wii is word of backwards compatibility. I don’t think I’ve ever put one of my old Gamecube games in my Wii, but compatibility with old games is a great idea especially considering the amount of them I have. And, from what I hear, the new console will be compatible with the remote and nunchuck combination that we all use to control our Wii’s, or similar ‘motion’ based controls, so it’s an obvious idea.

Multiple sources, including French website 01.net, have published details (via Develop), suggesting that the controller will feature a 6 inch HD touch screen on it. This controller, that you can ‘stream’ entire games to and then play them on, is said to feature a camera, triggers and a d-pad. I am very intrigued to see if this is true – that sounds like a very exciting concept. Having used an Amazon Kindle, which features a 6 inch screen, the potential for a controller with a screen this size is awesome.

Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamato also mentioned that Nintendo has been exploring the possibilities of connectivity between its latest handheld and the firm’s ‘future home console’ at a recent 3DS presentation in Paris. Using an existing handheld console to control games played on a home console has been done before by Nintendo, with the Game Boy Advance and GameCube. Legend of Zelda: Four Swords let players use the Game Boy Advance as controller, with main events taking place on the TV and the GBA screen showing players who enter houses or caves. I never tried this, but something like this could be great, and in 3D too this time.

Nintendo Japan confirmed that they will release the successor to the Wii, which will feature ‘full HD visuals and graphical capabilities beyond Sony and Microsoft’s current hardware’, in 2012. And that it will be revealed and playable at e3 in June.

“We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles,” the company stated.

That little teaser is it for now though; they have revealed nothing else. Excited much?

Comments

This console is clearly a reaction to Apples iPad and its trojan horse into home console gaming. The way I see it – one powerful machine in the home will stream to multiple – controllers with touch capabilities and buttons. In effect it would be like having 4 ipads in the home instead of just the one. It would be pretty cost effective for the consumer – and would mean a lot more people can share and use the devices at the same time. Its akin to having a PC server hub that spits media out to various PC’s around the house. But this time they will just be controllers with screens.

In this way local multi-player will remain a focus but group play on-line will be pushed. I feel that Nintendo is going to create a console that will satisfy the core audience – but will also allow the family to play together on-line against other families. Mario Kart Wii was pretty much marketed in this fashion, if my memory serves me right.

I also think the potential for Augmented Reality could be HUGE. Imagine the controller can recognise moving images instead of a static card – with high fidelity and bandwidth being loaded on to the system instead of the controller. Using a camera to look at your Television screen and seeing something surprising and new could provide interesting applications to gameplay. For example – Imagine playing a ZELDA game but instead of going back through time one simply used the camera on the controller as a ‘looking glass through time’ – revealing missing pillars and overgrowth on the controller screen. A stark contrast to the dungeons complete and clean state in the past. The lens of truth takes on a new meaning – especially when one could interact with object in the past using the touch screen. Seeing virtual objects appear in a virtual world will provide more immersion than virtual objects appearing in the real world with the wrong lighting etc.

This is really interesting and they have said today the console is going to offer ‘a new way of playing’. U could be on to something there… Project cafe; a counter serving up delights to multiple customers?…